Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., at the official opening of the newly restored premises of Na Píobairí Uilleann, in 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1 on Monday, 29th January, 2007 at 6.30pm
A dhaoine uaisle
Tá áthas orm a bheith in bhur dteannta anocht chun ceann oifig nua Na bPiobairí Uilleann a oscailt. Is comhartha dearfach suntasach é oscailt na hoifige nua - dearfach dár gceol agus d’oidhreacht ailtireachta ár bpríomhchathrach. Déanaim comhghairdeachas libh go léir as an méid a bhfuil baint amach agaibh. Buíochas libhse, tá ré nua ag tosnú do phiobairí uilleann na hÉireann.
We are fortunate in this country to have a richly textured and diverse musical tradition. Irish music is certainly unique. It forms part of our identity as a nation. Its uniqueness has drawn the attention of many scholars eager to unearth some of the mystery surrounding Ireland’s distant past, the clues to which are revealed so eloquently in its melodies and rhythms. The traditional musical instruments are part and parcel of our musical tradition – instruments for which the airs themselves were composed. The place of uilleann pipes in Irish music has been largely determined by the ebb and flow of history itself. And so in a time of unprecedented and rapid social change, it is vital to the future of our identity to preserve all aspects of our heritage, including a vibrant future for the playing of uilleann pipes.
This custom-designed headquarters perfectly illustrates how in architectural terms, the new can complement the old. It is an imposing building, standing as it does on the oldest Georgian street in Dublin. Number 15 is also incorporated in The Henrietta Street Conservation Plan, which was just launched last month. As well as being part of the renewal of this street, this centre and all of its members will continue to revitalise the future place of uilleann pipes in our musical tradition here and throughout the world.
Apart from the huge architectural importance of restoring No. 15 Henrietta Street, this €2 million refurbishment project has provided the most up-to-date services for uilleann pipers. These include excellent tuition facilities, a purpose built reed-making room, rooms for research and an archive of uilleann piping.
I am delighted to learn that the opening of this building is part of NPU’s overall strategic plan to help improve the facilities available to students and players of the instrument worldwide and to promote excellence in piping and pipe-making. The NPU also has other exciting plans, which include the establishment of a pipe-making course in conjunction with the Institutes of Technology and the construction of an auditorium and a pipes museum here.
It is thanks to the efforts of NPU and various ensembles such as Ceoltoiri Chualann, The Chieftains, The Bothy Band and Planxty, who made such great use of the pipes, that the profile of this instrument has been raised and is now one and the same as Irish culture itself. This huge refurbishment project will ensure the survival, as well as the revival, of uilleann piping which is surely one of the most important instruments in traditional Irish music today.
When the NPU was founded in 1968, there were fewer than 100 pipers worldwide and only two full-time pipe-makers. But thanks to the vision of men like Breandán Breathnach and Seán Reid, along with the help of the original committee, an organisation was born which will ensure the survival of the uilleann pipes. Today that organisation boasts over 3,000 members around the world and this facility here is a testament to the work of the membership past and present.
NPU’s work, and that of other organisations like you, play a pivotal role in strengthening traditional Irish music today. According to a recent survey carried out by the Arts Council, the public and the Arts, the popularity of traditional music is holding its own.
That is a remarkable achievement, and one to be very proud of, in an age of huge commercial competition in the popular arts.
The Government and I personally are hugely supportive of this fantastic project and I am delighted that the Government assisted in funding it, through the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, along with the Arts Council and Dublin City Council.
Significant restoration projects such as this one involve hard work, team effort, vision and investment. Many people have assisted along the way but I want to particularly mention Gay McKeon and Sean Potts who have spearheaded fundraising efforts over the last two decades.
I want to congratulate each and every one of you who assisted in this important project. You can all be very proud of the excellent facilities that you have created here. You have left a lasting legacy to our rich cultural heritage.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
The End.